Tapestry was already in my early LP collection and now holds an even more special place tied to a (likely embellished) fond memory of my departed dad from my pre-teenage days. My parents could take or leave music in general, but an 8 track of Tapestry was on loop in a borrowed car the only night I ever saw my dad drunk, so much so (a) my mom drove and (b) she pulled over to the side of the road so he could puke. He cranked Smackwater Jack at a volume I later played Boston’s Long Time in my own first car, driving home from fraternity rush parties. RIP dad.
It interesting how many family-related stories we've been getting from this album, in the post itself, in the comments and offline as well. I guess it speaks to how universally loved Tapestry is as it clearly cuts across gender and generational lines alike.
i never would have guessed you three hard ass punks are such sentimentalists. this album does absolutely nothing for me, but i admire (i think?) your willingness to depart from the comfort of your musical "lanes" to embrace your sappy sides.
I think I've told the story about how I went home to help my mom downsize/move out of her house. I was looking for a box of my records I'd left behind. I wound up finding four; mine, but also one each from of my mom's, my dad's, and my stepdad's. The latter was fascinating as I'd never so much as seen him play a CD or tape, let alone vinyl. But there they were. And they were ones I would've never thought of! Flying Burrito Brothers (if I squinted, I could maybe see it), Bowie (!), and...Carole King's Tapestry.
My point here? This is a record with a transcendent appeal. People that would turn their nose up at similar records all had this- even a grizzled Vietnam vet. It's that moving of a record.
Also: is there a better representation of the beginning/middle/end of a relationship than "I Feel The Earth Move"-->"You're So Far Away"--> "It's Too Late"?
My sister Sue owned this one when it first came out and played it and sang along to it endlessly. I was 10 then and she had just graduated high school the year before. It was in constant rotation at the house until she left and got married. I loved the songs but didn’t hear the album again until I bought it on cd. I couldn’t believe I waited so long to get my own copy. I can’t listen to it without also hearing Sue’s voice alongside Carole’s! Still sounds great and is timeless.
One of the most impactful albums of my life. Thanks CJ for bringing it to the discussion. It's not like playing Suite Judy Blue Eyes at 3:30am on a Sunday morning, but it's almost as big. Okay, it's bigger.
I had never listened to this album until an Album listening club I belonged to a few years ago reviewed it. I had no idea how wonderful it was but am glad to have discovered it. I still go back to it.
Tapestry was already in my early LP collection and now holds an even more special place tied to a (likely embellished) fond memory of my departed dad from my pre-teenage days. My parents could take or leave music in general, but an 8 track of Tapestry was on loop in a borrowed car the only night I ever saw my dad drunk, so much so (a) my mom drove and (b) she pulled over to the side of the road so he could puke. He cranked Smackwater Jack at a volume I later played Boston’s Long Time in my own first car, driving home from fraternity rush parties. RIP dad.
It interesting how many family-related stories we've been getting from this album, in the post itself, in the comments and offline as well. I guess it speaks to how universally loved Tapestry is as it clearly cuts across gender and generational lines alike.
Great story Ken. Thanks for sharing that memory.
i never would have guessed you three hard ass punks are such sentimentalists. this album does absolutely nothing for me, but i admire (i think?) your willingness to depart from the comfort of your musical "lanes" to embrace your sappy sides.
I can’t speak for the other two, but my “sappy side” is well established here at EONS Global HQ
I think I've told the story about how I went home to help my mom downsize/move out of her house. I was looking for a box of my records I'd left behind. I wound up finding four; mine, but also one each from of my mom's, my dad's, and my stepdad's. The latter was fascinating as I'd never so much as seen him play a CD or tape, let alone vinyl. But there they were. And they were ones I would've never thought of! Flying Burrito Brothers (if I squinted, I could maybe see it), Bowie (!), and...Carole King's Tapestry.
My point here? This is a record with a transcendent appeal. People that would turn their nose up at similar records all had this- even a grizzled Vietnam vet. It's that moving of a record.
Also: is there a better representation of the beginning/middle/end of a relationship than "I Feel The Earth Move"-->"You're So Far Away"--> "It's Too Late"?
Interesting, I never thought of that song sequence as a trilogy. But you're right. It the start to finish story of a romance.
As always, very well said.
My sister Sue owned this one when it first came out and played it and sang along to it endlessly. I was 10 then and she had just graduated high school the year before. It was in constant rotation at the house until she left and got married. I loved the songs but didn’t hear the album again until I bought it on cd. I couldn’t believe I waited so long to get my own copy. I can’t listen to it without also hearing Sue’s voice alongside Carole’s! Still sounds great and is timeless.
One of the most impactful albums of my life. Thanks CJ for bringing it to the discussion. It's not like playing Suite Judy Blue Eyes at 3:30am on a Sunday morning, but it's almost as big. Okay, it's bigger.
I had never listened to this album until an Album listening club I belonged to a few years ago reviewed it. I had no idea how wonderful it was but am glad to have discovered it. I still go back to it.